Mega Million at 640M .........how would you pick numbers and what would you do if you hit

[PghPanther]

I never play the lottery but my girl friend called me and suggest we give this big pot of 500 Million a go this Friday........


How do I pick numbers........

....from birthdays and ages/from phone number combinations




What would I do if I had a winning ticket.....

......first I would scan the ticket from and back with the palm of my hand into my computer for ID. I would contract for an attorney specializing in sweepstakes winnings and an accountant with a similar speciality..........then I would contact my friend who is worth about the same amount of money to ask him for investment tactics...........I believe I would take a lump sum because you never know when the state/gov will go belly up.........

I would only give money to my immediate family but they would recieve a max of about 1 million but in graduated amounts over a multiple year period. I want to see them use the money wisely each year before they get there next installment until the reach 1 million in a responsible fashion.

I wouldn't change my life much at all in the immediate future..........I'm quite happy living a modest life........but I would look at furthering my music composition efforts with some of it.......

What would you do?

[Racing22]

What would you do?

I wonder if Joe Gibbs is selling.....

[Dennis Olson]

If I won, I'd buy us the most kickass server you could imagine, and prepay our ISP fees for 10 years. Then I'd buy a national ad for us. Oh yeah baby....

[Double_A]

I'm wondering if the draw is random numbers then using a non-random method to pick numbers might place you at a disadvantage when averaged over thousands of draws?? Yes? No?

[blueinterceptor]

Use the random computer pick, believe it or not. One of the most successful methods.

[Big]

If I won all that money, I think I would buy my dog a new collar... and a five hundred acre farm to wear it on.

[PghPanther]

I'm wondering if the draw is random numbers then using a non-random method to pick numbers might place you at a disadvantage when averaged over thousands of draws?? Yes? No?

The odds are so high and the variations of selections so great I don't think it makes one bit of difference.............now if you would play a million or more tickets you should probably use a nonrandom drawn in a systematic system.......but who in the world would put in that many tickets..........I don't even think a machine could print that many over the times between the drawings.....lol!!

[kemosabe]

I could write a long post detailing what my plans would be, but that would take too long and make me want it more.. lol I definitely agree about taking the lump sum... that's a given...


But let's just say I would with 100% certainty , have a panic attack and cry uncontrollably like a baby while literally shitting my pants for at least a half hour straight.. ....



After all the precautionary formalities, which include a specialty lawyer to collect the winnings in order to keep me winning a secret from the public.. I'd try and lead the most stress-free life I could, make good sound investments,while secretly helping others to make their lives much better...

Believe me, that was as short and simple as I could be regarding what I'd do ... lol...

I have literally sat and wrote out exact plans for when I do , ever win the powerball... I've had one of them gut feelings for awhile that I could win someday........ even though I only play every once in awhile....
When I get back to work, I'll probably start playing a few numbers every drawing .... cause you can't win if you don't play...

[peekaboo]

Faint....

[Sysman]

Well, the cash option after 35% tax is about $225m...

First thing I would do is buy this old farmhouse that I've been renting for 13 years, and the 155 acres of farmland and woods that comes with it. The property already has an approved GDP, I figure about $20m would cover everything, let's say 10% of the 225...

Next I'ld give about 10% to immediate family, and a few very, very close friends...

I'ld take another 10% and buy Gold, a "little" Platinum, etc...

Another 10% would be my "party money". Buy a couple hot cars, a nice sailboat. Re-do this old house, stuff every room with max tech, like big TVs, fastest computers, heck, maybe get myself a mini mainframe...

That's around $90m, leaving $135m to "invest". I've been into the idea of "open space preservation" lately. So I think I'ld start a non-profit to buy-up some of the farms that still remain around here, and put them under a "farmland preservation" easement. Start by making an offer on the farms that are next to "mine", there are about 600 acres in our "block". I'ld be able to pay "developer rates", so I think I could make my neighbors an offer they can't refuse...

As Blondie says, dreaming is free...

.

[rafter]

If I won....change my name..

[bad_karma00]

Sit and see how many new relatives it brings me

[Calfisher]

After the dust settles, I would have to have lunch with Dennis!

[Dex]

I've heard some stories about people buying $5000 in tickets. I think it's one of the biggest jackpots in history. If I take cash value, after taxes I will probably end up with about $200,000,000.

I have some altruistic goals to help humanity in various ways but that's not going to stop me from buying a McMansion on a nice piece of land near my family...who will be set for life as well because one of the best things you can do is invest in the future of your blood and family. Just think of how many things you could do to help your fellow human with such money, invested wisely and distributed prudently.

[Breeta]

My numbers are a combination of my, my mom's and my dad's birthdays: 3, 5, 12, 17, 36, 51.

If i won, i'd pay off all of my debts, give my mom $ to pay off her debts, and then invest in CDs and other investments that pay me monthly. I'd give a lot to charity such as my friend's cat rescue (she literally saves special needs cats off the euthanasia table at high-kill shelters- just a couple weeks ago saved a mama cat & her 4 newborn kittens!)

I'd also donate to TB2K's maintenance & such.
But i wouldn't quit my job - my health insurance is too good & i work at one of the happiest places on earth!!

[JoshInReno]

Buy a small country and make myself king for life.

[vessie]

I would let the computer pick random numbers for me.

And if I won, I would not tell Anyone and I would immediatley contact a lawyer (after I signed the back of the ticket which I would have do before the drawing anyway) and create an LLC so I would remain anonymous.

If you don't create an LLC to hide behind, then the Lottery people can reveal your name as the winner and you'll get a sh*t load of unwanted attention and even leave you open to kidnapping. V

[packyderms_wife]

"IF" I were to play I'd play the numbers I played back in 1988 that I thought I had played on Saturday evening but alas forgot to do so because I was on call for the county and ended up out on an amublance call. THAT was the night my numbers won! So yeah "IF" I were to play I'd play "those" numbers! I haven't played since!

[Topusaret]

I'd open one of my front, upstairs windows, lean out, and scream like a petulant and spoiled three-year-old:

"It's MY money, and I want it NOW!"

[BigFootsCousin]

I'd buy myself the mini-bike that I had always wanted as a kid.......

BFC

[Hansa44]

I'd buy a really nice vehicle that I could drive and drive. No rentals! Take someone with me.

[erichtmobile]

I would buy a few hundred acres, and install the grandest NBC SHTF bunker that money could buy.

And i have always wanted a mickey mantle rookie card

[onetimer]

Play with some coworkers and we missed $300,000 by 1 number. Got 4 out of 5 and missed the mega. $170 was the take.

Thought about picking 46 sequential draws of 1-46 on the mega and then just random numbers for the other 5 of 1-56. Guaranteed $2 lol.

[Oldotaku]

I usually wait until the prize amount exceeds the odds of winning, then get 5 randomized picks on one ticket. I always think of my dad, who always bought a few tickets every weekend: it was one of his few vices, and would occasionally win the smaller prizes.

As to what I'd do with the money, I'd start by making some very large orders with Tulving, then make my stockbroker very happy, and then make Shane very happy as I take that Caribbean island he's had on his website off his hands. I'd then treat myself to a medium-sized aircraft and the lessons to pilot it. Sounds nice...

[sthrnfriedrocker]

I'd buy an island somewhere of my own, don't they have some for sale? Someplace tropical, of course, but still high enough above sea level.

[Kevmoley]

If I won my life would not change one bit ... lol

[ainitfunny]

I wouldn't want all the problems that would accompany such a big win.
If I didn't think it would cause more heartache than happiness I would spend a dollar for a ticket for my kids and sister, but I think it would wreck their lives and families too.

[Mark Armstrong]

If I suddenly had $500,000,000.00 I guess I'd find myself getting married. To whom, I don't know. But I imagine some girl out there would suddenly find me irresistible.

[homecanner1]

with the way it will multiply by friday night?

i would be happy with 3 numbers, don't need all five

or even 1 and the powerball

not that greedy

8>)

[Lilbitsnana]

with the way it will multiply by friday night?

i would be happy with 3 numbers, don't need all five

or even 1 and the powerball

not that greedy

8>)

The only payout that increases payout amount is the jackpot (5+the mega number), unless you live in CA which is paramutual.

http://www.megamillions.com/numbers/

[Mark Armstrong]

Frankly, I'd rather be taken up in the Rapture this weekend than win $500 million. And the odds are probably better.

[Ravekid]

I would take the cash up front, whatever amount. I would then give friends and family various amounts, at least $10K each. I also would consider various annuities for immediate family members. I don't want to give them millions, or even hundreds of thousands right off the bat. I would rather they get a couple grand a month, so at least they can't blow it all (not sure any would, but you never know). I figure if I made it so folks got at least $1,400/month, that would be plenty for a decent home and car payment in our area. Everything else in life would be on them. I would also consider bankrolling college costs for nieces/nephews/younger cousins, but only if they showed a true plan on getting a worthy degree and strong work ethic.

Personally, I would invest in a few housing options. I would likely keep whatever home I had locally, but would definitely have a bug out place with water source, solar, etc.. It wouldn't be anything fancy, no stainless steel appliances or granite counter tops, it would be a useable place, but costs would be somewhat higher than normal due to 100% solar, metal roof, etc. I would want. I would want a larger place, because I would want it to be a safe haven for many family members. I would likely have four bunk beds per bedroom, stash of roll away cots, etc..

[Sebastian]

If the pot is really large as this one is I'll buy a few tickets just for the entertainment value of what would I do with $225 million. Its cheaper than a movie and often more entertaining.

Definitely take the random numbers - trying to make a system is like work and that spoils the dream the great American dream - unearned wealth.

I'd buy comfortable socks they are hard to find and expensive, probably splurge on new tires for my 14 year old truck, set the thermostat to 68 and let the hot water run when I'm in the shower.

I know I'll soon be broke but I'll have extravagant memories, might even have a new headliner for that truck of mine and buy the baby some disposable diapers.

Oh and I'll avoid my relatives like the plague (mom? mom who?) already practicing just in case.

More seriously what one can do is use the jackpot to define one's wants and needs and then you can go about figuring out how to accomplish those goals when some buddy of Obama in Chicago wins the big pot.

[Michelle]

I know I am going to win............I have written my plan down as to how much each family member would get for spending money for the last few years...just knowing I was gonna win big someday.................I have big plans for that money...............not for me.........but for all my family and close friends..............I will pay off all bills and pay off my family's bills so we all have no bills.......after each person in my family has a decent car or truck!!! if you make sure everyone has no bills.....and all have a car or truck to get to jobs in...then everyone starts out better off..........then my boys would have money for any school they choose to go to....and I would stash money away for them for future use after getting themselves thru a good school. I have big plans to help people in this state too............too many people have so much money they don't know what to do with it...when all you have to do is get a good number of families back on their feet........ and everyone i give money to ....HAS to pass on to other people ........help with things they need........food ....clothes.....physical help....a place to sleep....what ever they feel they can do.....i'm thinking if you get your family on really good footing.......then close friends.......that you will continue to help yourself ........I may even buy a place to house some people I know that need a place to live and can help each other ..........with the bills and up keep of their own place..........keeping a room or two for my boys should they want to move to another town where that house would be...........we live in maine.......never hurts to have a place to stay in a few other towns that are close to cities....it opens things up for working or going to school..........If I have all these things in place.......then if something happens to me......I can go in peace knowing my boys are taken care of...and that Is all I live for right now......

[fairbanksb]

Beats me. Which States participate in the Mega Millions Lottery?

[diamonds]

I would do it alot different than many here... I would put the majority of my families name on the ticket with mine as owners as well as some close friends... Taxes would eat up more than half and we would actually get more with it spread out...

Then buy a medium size farm and spend my days there.. I would also set up some organizations and do some personal charitable works with the majority... I figure you can't take it with you anyway and I want to make it through the "eye of the needle"...

[PghPanther]

That idea of setting up an LLC and remaining anynomous to the public is very prudent........

One person winning this amount and being plastered all over God's creation certainly sets you up for a kidnapping senario...........

To me the goals while on this Earth are health and time........you can't have enough of good health and time to do what you really want to do..........I would make sure that my winnings would provide this as much as they are possible to do before anything else...........meaning having the best of healthy food and exercise equipment access...............and not having to work so that I can concentrate on my passions.......music and helping others

[Amberglass]

Off topic a little bit.....A friend of mine won $50,000 last week on a crossword scratch and win..... And boy did she need it.

She's been raising three boys on her own. She's a real sweetheart and is the type of woman that always has a smile on her face, even at the worst of times. I'm ecstatic for her.

[fairbanksb]

Well, I won't say what I'ld do since Florida doesn't participate in the Mega Millions.

[dogmanan]

I would buy some new socks and underwear and a porter house steak.